‘You Are Here’ Creating a web-based, online map to guide youth in learning about and engaging in the

I.  Lead to Succeed Kickoff Conference

Over 80 student participants in the “You Are Here” Water Website project attended a Kickoff Conference on Nov. 4, 2011.  Hosted by the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, the conference was a fun way for students from each of the five program sites to meet one another, get acquainted with water industry professionals, and get fired up about the issues their project will be addressing.  The students loved the interactive activities, the dynamic lineup of speakers, and the poignant breakout workshops.  All in all, the conference was a perfect kickoff for this year's project work!

II.  College Project Managers

Service learning students from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee began working with the high-school students at each of the five “You Are Here” project sites.   Through their role as College Project Managers, the UWM students will lead and mentor the high-school students during each step of the project process.  The relationships these students are starting to build have already elicited meaningful reactions.  One of the College Project Managers summed it up eloquently in a recent blog post: 

"In two weeks of going to St. Joan Antida I already can tell that my role as a Lead to Succeed Project Manager will be significant for me as well as for the girls. Not only will I learn a lot from the girls, I know that they have already learned a lot from me!”

- Elizabeth M, St. Joan Antida Youth Water Website Project Site 

All of the College Project Managers share project updates and record thoughts about their experiences biweekly on the Lead to Succeed, Milwaukee Blog.

Check it out at:  http://ltsmilwaukee.blogspot.com/

III.  Research

Guided by their College Project Managers and assisted by guest speakers, students at each of the five program sites are busy researching local and global freshwater issues.  Elizabeth Thelen from the Water Council visited each site to share information about the Water Council and the network of other stakeholders invested in the Water Website project.  The students are becoming even more passionate about what they can accomplish with the website they're going to build.

A few quotes from the students’ research so far:

“The United Nations has named Milwaukee to be one of 13 Fresh Water Global Compact Cities. This means our entire nation, as well as the entire world, is looking to our community to be a leader in water technology, innovation, conservation, and education." – School of Urban Planning and Architecture project site

"We want to build excitement about water in people from "K to grey" to teach and empower the following generations about the importance of water in our society.” – Professional Learning Institute project site

There is an abundance of industries that directly came to and are running in Milwaukee because of fresh water. Maintaining water purity can help secure the businesses in Milwaukee as a staple of the community." – Professional Learning Institute project site

“I care about this issue for my health and how my future will be, and because of my children’s future. Also, because I want to help my community.” – St. Joan Antida project site

IV.  A Big “Thank You” to State Farm

Nine student representatives from four “You Are Here” Water Website project sites attended the State Farm Youth Advisory Board check presentation event on November 16th.  Professional Learning Institute student Jonah Duncan spoke on behalf of all the students involved in the project,  saying “THANK YOU” to the Board for the opportunity to do this project.